MARK WRIGHT
PRESIDENT
Mark Wright grew up seeing a deep burden for world missions from his grandparents, Jim and Marty Welch. Local missions were the heartbeat of his grandfather, Jim. He was instrumental in helping start two powerful local ministries (Lighthouse Ministries and Lakeland Christian School) in the town where Mark grew up. Seeing the impact those two ministries have had on the Lakeland community has challenged Mark to see the vision God has given him take shape and be used as a tool to win souls for Christ.
Using sports as that tool just made sense to Mark. He has had a passion for sports since he was old enough to take part in them and kept that love and enthusiasm all the way through his football career. Mark still holds two school records at ASU for (longest field goal at 57 yards and most consecutive field goals, 16).
Mark graduated from Appalachian State with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He then went into the corporate sector for seven years and God has used every step of his career since then to prepare him for this task. It is Mark’s fervent desire to use his past business experience and education to go about his “Father’s business” and see people come to Christ and/or strengthen their walk with Him.
In 2008 Mark knew that it was time to submit to a calling God had started placing on his heart in college and that was to begin a sports ministry. He had a vision to do a sports ministry unlike any that he had ever worked with while in high school and collegiate sports. His mission was to disciple professional athletes in their walk with Christ and then give them opportunities to reach out to orphans and disadvantaged youth. Idols Aside Ministries launched to fulfill that calling in January 2009. Since January of 2009, Idols Aside has seen hundreds of decisions for Christ on and off of fields, courts, classrooms, locker rooms and on international mission trips. They have also been instrumental in growing and developing relationships with professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL and Professional Wakeboarding for the cause of discipling these men and furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Contact Mark
mark@idolsaside.com
MARK WRIGHT
PRESIDENT
Mark Wright grew up seeing a deep burden for world missions from his grandparents, Jim and Marty Welch. Local missions were the heartbeat of his grandfather, Jim. He was instrumental in helping start two powerful local ministries (Lighthouse Ministries and Lakeland Christian School) in the town where Mark grew up. Seeing the impact those two ministries have had on the Lakeland community has challenged Mark to see the vision God has given him take shape and be used as a tool to win souls for Christ.
Using sports as that tool just made sense to Mark. He has had a passion for sports since he was old enough to take part in them and kept that love and enthusiasm all the way through his football career. Mark still holds two school records at ASU for (longest field goal at 57 yards and most consecutive field goals, 16).
Mark graduated from Appalachian State with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He then went into the corporate sector for seven years and God has used every step of his career since then to prepare him for this task. It is Mark’s fervent desire to use his past business experience and education to go about his “Father’s business” and see people come to Christ and/or strengthen their walk with Him.
In 2008 Mark knew that it was time to submit to a calling God had started placing on his heart in college and that was to begin a sports ministry. He had a vision to do a sports ministry unlike any that he had ever worked with while in high school and collegiate sports. His mission was to disciple professional athletes in their walk with Christ and then give them opportunities to reach out to orphans and disadvantaged youth. Idols Aside Ministries launched to fulfill that calling in January 2009. Since January of 2009, Idols Aside has seen hundreds of decisions for Christ on and off of fields, courts, classrooms, locker rooms and on international mission trips. They have also been instrumental in growing and developing relationships with professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL and Professional Wakeboarding for the cause of discipling these men and furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Contact Mark
mark@idolsaside.com